The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600 B.C., when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Like the Western calendar, The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon. Therefore, because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year it falls on February 12th. A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each.
                The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."

Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those they love - although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered and over-critical. They are supposed to make good writers, critics and publicists.
Element: Water  Heading: North  Color: Light Blue  Yin/Yang: More Yin  Chinese Name: SHU  Meaning: Charm  Sign Order: First  Season: Winter  Favorable Month: December  Counterpart: Sagittarius  Friend: Dragon, Monkey  Foe: Horse
Positives: Charismatic, Affable, Intelligent, Sociable, Quick-witted, Popular.
Negatives: Exploitive, Deviant, Calculated, Secretive, Greedy, Acquisitive.
Famous Rats: Diego Maradona, Lauren Bacall, Gene Kelly, Buddy Holly, Alan Alda, Charles Aznavour, Marlon Brando.
The 5 types of Rat (Birthdate - Type):
01/31/1900 to 02/18/1901 - METAL;         02/18/1912 to 02/05/1913 - WATER
02/05/1924 to 01/24/1925 - WOOD;          01/24/1936 to 02/10/1937 - FIRE
02/10/1948 to 01/28/1949 - EARTH;         01/28/1960 to 02/14/1961 - METAL
02/15/1972 to 02/02/1973 - WATER;        02/02/1984 to 02/19/1985 - WOOD
02/19/1996 to 02/06/1997 - FIRE;             02/07/2008 to 01/25/2009 - EARTH

Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and good with their hands, they make fine surgeons and hairdressers.
Element: Earth  Heading: North-North-East  Color: Violet  Yin/Yang: Yin/Yang balanced  Chinese Name: NIU  Meaning: Industry  Sign Order: Second  Season: Winter  Favorable Month: January  Counterpart: Capricorn  Friend: Rooster, Snake  Foe: Goat
Positives: Honest, Loyal, Sincere, Steadfast, Popular, Reliable, has Integrity.
Negatives: Stolid, Stubborn, Inflexible, Impatient, Narrow-minded.
Famous Oxen: Meryl Streep, Margaret Thatcher, Bach, Warren Beaty, Napoleon, Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Collins, W.B. Yeats. 
The 5 types of Ox (Birthdate - Type):
02/19/1901 to 02/07/1902 - METAL;         02/06/1913 to 01/25/1914 - WATER
01/25/1925 to 02/12/1926 - WOOD;           02/11/1937 to 01/30/1938 - FIRE
01/29/1949 to 02/16/1950 - EARTH;          02/15/1961 to 02/04/1962 - METAL
02/03/1973 to 01/22/1974 - WATER;         02/20/1985 to 02/08/1986 - WOOD
02/07/1997 to 01/27/1998 - FIRE;              01/26/2009 to 02/13/2010 - EARTH 

Tigers are said to be bold and adventurous, and are bestowed with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, making them act before they think about the consequences. They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers.
Element: Wood  Heading: East-North-East  Color: Mid-Green  Yin/Yang: More Yang  Chinese Name: HU  Meaning: Courage  Sign Order: Third  Season: Winter  Favorable Month: February  Counterpart: Aquarius  Friend: Horse, Dog  Foe: Monkey
Positives: Courageous, Enthusiastic, Bold, Sociable, Energetic, Optimist.
Negatives: Volatile, Impulsive, Impatient, Hot-Headed, Vain, Disobedient.
Famous Tigers: Demi Moore, Groucho Marx, Oscar Wilde, Kofi Annan, Beethoven, Bon Jovi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise. 
The 5 types of Tiger (Birthdate - Type):
02/08/1902 to 01/28/1903 - WATER;       01/26/1914 to 02/13/1915 - WOOD
02/13/1926 to 02/01/1927 - FIRE;            01/31/1938 to 02/18/1939 - EARTH
02/17/1950 to 02/05/1951 - METAL;       02/05/1962 to 01/24/1963 - WATER
01/23/1974 to 02/10/1975 - WOOD;        02/09/1986 to 01/28/1987 - FIRE
01/28/1998 to 02/15/1999 - EARTH;       02/14/2010 to 02/02/2011 - METAL

Rabbits are affectionate, co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too sentimental and seem superficial. Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage.
Element: Wood  Heading: East  Color: Pale Green  Yin/Yang: Yin/Yang balanced  Chinese Name: TU  Meaning: Peace  Sign Order: Fourth  Season: Spring  Favorable Month: March  Counterpart: Pisces  Friend: Goat, Pig  Foe: Rooster
Positives: Wise, Astute, Docile, Thoughtful, Refined.
Negatives: Cunning, Possessive, Fussy, Snob.
Famous Rabbits: Orson Welles, Billie Holiday, Arthur Miller, Drew Barrymore, Nicolas Cage, Fidel Castro, Kasparov.
The 5 types of Rabbit (Birthdate - Type):
01/29/1903 to 02/15/1904 - WATER;      02/14/1915 to 02/02/1916 - WOOD
02/02/1927 to 01/22/1928 - FIRE;           02/19/1939 to 02/07/1940 - EARTH
02/06/1951 to 01/26/1952 - METAL;      01/25/1963 to 02/12/1964 - WATER
02/11/1975 to 01/30/1976 - WOOD;       01/29/1987 to 02/16/1988 - FIRE
02/16/1999 to 02/04/2000 - EARTH;      02/03/2011 to 01/22/2012 - METAL  

Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. They make good priests, artists and politicians.
Element: Earth  Heading: East-South-East  Color: Greenish-Blue  Yin/Yang: Yin/Yang balanced  Chinese Name: LONG  Meaning: Luck  Sign Order: Fifth  Season: Spring  Favorable Month: April  Counterpart: Aries  Friend: Rat, Monkey  Foe: Dog
Positives: Original, Confident, Resourceful, Adaptable, Valiant, Enthusiastic.
Negatives: Arrogant, Tactless, Hot-headed, Critical, Unpredictable, Quick-tempered.
Famous Dragons: Joan of Arc, Sarah Bernhardt, Faye Dunnaway, Pele, Paul Getty, Sandra Bullock, Count Basie, Tom Jones.
The 5 types of Dragon (Birthdate - Type):
02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 - WOOD;         02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 - FIRE
01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 - EARTH;        02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 - METAL
01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 - WATER;       02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965 - WOOD
01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977 - FIRE;             02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989 - EARTH
02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001 - METAL;         01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013 - WATER

People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Ideal jobs include teaching or psychiatry.
Element: Fire  Heading:  South-South-East  Color: Red  Yin/Yang: More Yang  Chinese Name: SHE  Meaning:  Foresight  Sign Order: Sixth  Season: Spring  Favorable Month: May  Counterpart: Taurus  Friend: Ox, Rooster  Foe: Pig
Positives: Subtle, Insightful, Shrewd, Discreet, Wise, Compassionate.
Negatives: Proud, Manipulative, Vain, Malicious, Possessive.
Famous Snakes: Mae West, Martin Luther King Jr., Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Grace Kelly, Ehud Barak, Yasser Arafat, Oprah.
The 5 types of Snake (Birthdate - Type):
02/04/1905 to 01/24/1906 - WOOD;           01/23/1917 to 02/10/1918 - FIRE
02/10/1929 to 01/29/1930 - EARTH;          01/27/1941 to 02/14/1942 - METAL
02/14/1953 to 02/02/1954 - WATER;         02/21/1965 to 01/20/1966 - WOOD
02/18/1977 to 02/06/1978 - FIRE;               02/06/1989 to 01/26/1990 - EARTH
01/24/2001 to 02/11/2002 - METAL;          02/10/2013 to 01/30/2014 - WATER

If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Career wise you would make a good scientist or poet.
Element: Fire  Heading: South  Color: Flame Orange  Yin/Yang: more Yang  Chinese Name: MA  Meaning: Elegance  Sign Order: Seventh  Season: Summer  Favorable Month: June  Counterpart:Gemini  Friend: Tiger, Dog  Foe: Rat
Positives: Vivacious, Witty, Independent, Cheerful, Refined, Friendly, has Stamina.
Negatives: Selfish, Volatile, Impatient, Vain, Reckless.
Famous Horses: Rita Hayworth, Mike Tyson, Billie Graham, Boris Yeltsin, Chopin, Cindy Crawford, Calvin Klein, Travolta.
The 5 types of Horse (Birthdate - Type):
01/25/1906 to 02/12/1907 - FIRE;          02/11/1918 to 01/31/1919 - EARTH
01/30/1930 to 02/16/1931 - METAL;     02/15/1942 to 02/04/1943 - WATER
02/03/1954 to 01/23/1955 - WOOD;       01/21/1966 to 02/08/1967 - FIRE
02/07/1978 to 01/27/1979 - EARTH;      01/27/1990 to 02/14/1991 - METAL
02/12/2002 to 01/31/2003 - WATER;      01/31/2014 to 02/18/2015 - WOOD

Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors, gardeners or beachcombers would suit.
Element: Earth  Heading: South-South-West  Color: Pink, Purple  Yin/Yang: Yin/Yang balanced  Chinese Name: YANG  Meaning: Arts  Sign Order: Eighth  Season: Summer  Favorable Month: July  Counterpart: Cancer  Friend: Rabbit, Pig  Foe: Ox
Positives: Artistic, Cultured, Kind, Gentle, Intelligent, Sensitive.
Negatives: Self-indulgent, Dependent, Insecure, Ungrateful.
Famous Goats: Jane Austen, Laurence Olivier, Buster Keaton, Pamela Anderson, Bill Gates, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman.
The 5 types of Goat (Birthdate - Type):
02/13/1907 to 02/01/1908 - FIRE;          02/01/1919 to 02/19/1920 - EARTH
02/17/1931 to 02/05/1932 - METAL;     02/05/1943 to 01/24/1944 - WATER
01/24/1955 to 02/11/1956 - WOOD;      02/09/1967 to 01/29/1968 - FIRE
01/28/1979 to 02/15/1980 - EARTH;      02/15/1991 to 02/03/1992 - METAL
02/01/2003 to 01/21/2004 - WATER;     02/19/2015 to 02/07/2016 - WOOD

If you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are very intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you!
Element: Metal  Heading: West-South-West  Color: Yellow, Gold  Yin/Yang: more Yin  Chinese Name: HOU  Meaning: Imagination  Sign Order: Ninth  Season: Summer  Favorable Month: August  Counterpart: Leo  Friend: Dragon, Rat  Foe: Tiger
Positives: Imaginative, Ingenious, Resourceful, Versatile, Persuasive, good sense of humor.
Negatives: Mischievous, Sly, Restless, Superficial.
Famous Monkeys: Joan Crawford, Martina Navratilova, Bob Marley, James Stewart, Omar Shariff, Gillian Anderson, Caesar.
The 5 types of Monkey (Birthdate - Type):
02/02/1908 to 01/21/1909 - EARTH;      02/20/1920 to 02/07/1921 - METAL
02/06/1932 to 01/25/1933 - WATER;      01/25/1944 to 02/12/1945 - WOOD
02/12/1956 to 01/30/1957 - FIRE;           01/29/1968 to 02/16/1969 - EARTH
02/16/1980 to 02/04/1981 - METAL;      02/04/1992 to 01/22/1993 - WATER
01/22/2004 to 02/08/2005 - WOOD;       02/08/2016 to 01/27/2017 - FIRE

The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers.
Element: Metal Heading: West Color: Peach, Apricot Yin/Yang: more Yin  Chinese Name: JI  Meaning: Honesty  Sign Order: Tenth  Season: Autumn  Favorable Month: September  Counterpart: Virgo  Friend: Ox, Snake  Foe: Rabbit  
Positives: Resilient, Courageous, Passionate, Protective, Patriot, Industrious.
Negatives: Blunt, Conceited, Rude, Impatient, Aggressive, Bossy.
Famous Roosters: Dolly Parton, Katharine Hepburn, Eric Clapton, Steffi Graf, Gloria Estefan, Errol Flynn, Benjamin Franklin.
The 5 types of Rooster (Birthdate - Type):
01/22/1909 to 02/09/1910 - EARTH;     02/08/1921 to 01/27/1922 - METAL
01/26/1933 to 02/13/1934 - WATER;    02/13/1945 to 02/01/1946 - WOOD
01/31/1957 to 02/17/1958 - FIRE;          02/17/1969 to 02/05/1970 - EARTH
02/05/1981 to 01/24/1982 - METAL;     01/23/1993 to 02/09/1994 - WATER
02/09/2005 to 01/28/2006 - WOOD;      01/28/2017 to 02/15/2018 - FIRE

Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people.
Element: Earth  Color: Pale Yellow  Heading: West-North-West  Yin/Yang: Yin/Yang balanced  Chinese Name: GOU  Meaning: Fidelity  Sign Order: Eleventh  Season: Autumn  Favorable Month: October  Counterpart: Libra  Friend: Tiger, Horse  Foe: Dragon
Positives: Reliable, Persistent, Devoted, Resourceful, Unselfish, Honest.
Negatives: Introvert, Nosy, Anxious, Pessimist, Cynic, Moody.
Famous Dogs: Andre Agassi, George W Bush, Kate Bush, Naomi Campbell, Mariah Carey, Jose Carreras, Cher, Sly.
The 5 types of Dog (Birthdate - Type):
02/10/1910 to 01/29/1911 - METAL;     01/28/1922 to 02/15/1923  WATER
02/14/1934 to 02/03/1935 - WOOD;      02/02/1946 to 01/21/1947 - FIRE
02/18/1958 to 02/07/1959 - EARTH;     02/06/1970 to 01/26/1971 - METAL
01/25/1982 to 02/12/1983 - WATER;    02/10/1994 to 01/30/1995 - WOOD
01/29/2006 to 02/17/2007 - FIRE;          02/16/2018 to 02/04/2019 - EARTH

People born in the Year of the Boar are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers.
Element: Water  Heading: North-North-East  Color: Dark Blue  Yin/Yang: more Yin  Chinese Name: ZHU  Meaning: Honesty  Sign Order: Twelfth  Season: Autumn  Favorable Month: November  Counterpart: Scorpio  Friend: Rabbit, Goat  Foe: Snake
Positives: Sincere, Gregarious, Diligent, Generous, Obliging, Unpretentious.
Negatives: Naive, Materialistic, Superficial, Pigheaded, Gullible, Lazy.
Famous Pigs: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Callas, Fred Astair, Julie Andrews, Woody Allen, Lucille Ball, Bogart.
The 5 types of Pig (Birthdate - Type):
01/30/1911 to 02/17/1912 - METAL;    02/16/1923 to 02/04/1924 - WATER
02/04/1935 to 01/23/1936 - WOOD;      01/22/1947 to 02/09/1948 - FIRE
02/08/1959 to 01/27/1960 - EARTH;     01/27/1971 to 02/14/1972 - METAL
02/13/1983 to 02/01/1984 - WATER;    01/31/1995 to 02/18/1996 - WOOD
02/18/2007 to 02/06/2008 - FIRE;          02/05/2019 to 01/24/2020 - EARTH